Whitewater Federation of Women's Clubs
Bassett House
708 W. Main St.
Whitewater WI
UPCOMING EVENTS
Emerson Club NEW MEMBER MEETING October 21 at 4:15 at the Bassett House, 708 W. Main. St. Whitewater, WI
Inviting women from the Whitewater area to join us for an interesting program and socializing over home-made snacks. 🌾🌾🌾
No RSVP needed but if you have questions contact Emerson Club President, Renae Mitchell for more information rprellmitchell@gmail.com
Our 2025 SPRING CONCERT SERIES will be amazing!
We will be hosting three intimate and entertaining concerts at the Bassett House with wine and cheese pairings after the concerts when you'll meet the talented musicians and other concert attendees. The date of the first concert is April 6th with two more to follow. Check our website for updates as we unveil the featured artists. Tickets are $30 for one concert or $75 for all three. Student pricing is also available. More details and contact information will be provided soon.
Save the date! The next Ladies and Young Ladies Tea
will be held April 27, 2025. Poster below from our first concert series held in 2024.
Ladies and Young Ladies Tea
a Success
April 26th, 2024 a fun and charming "Ladies and Young Ladies Tea" was held at Whitewater's beautiful Bassett house. Highlights included the elegant table settings and many colorful hats. Attendees played tea party games while enjoying delicious sandwiches and pastries served by women from the Delta Zeta Sorority.
The Whitewater Federation of Women's Clubs puts on the annual event to raise funds for the preservation of the historic Bassett House.
Photos courtesy of Tom Ganser.
Whitewater Federation of Women's Clubs (WFWC) consists of two clubs: Emerson and Florence Bassett. Both clubs are currently recruiting new members. See the pages for each club at the top of the website. Contact any member or email bassetthousewhitewater@gmail.com for more information on joining.
Mission Statement: The Whitewater Federation of Women’s Clubs shall be a means of communication to provide for the betterment of our city, educational enrichment of our membership, and preservation of Bassett House.
Bassett House is available as a venue for your events
In addition to the meeting room, which has a capacity of 40, there is a kitchen, coat room, restroom, dining table with buffet and an alcove with a baby grand piano. For information on rentals, navigate to the rentals page.
History of Bassett House and the Bassett Family
The Bassetts came to Whitewater from New York state. Thomas owned and operated the Boot and Shoe Store which was located just west of the grist mill built on the creek in the 1830's. Mr. Bassett sold groceries, provisions and garden seeds in addition to boots and shoes.
Built in 1858 for Thomas and Bessie Vilas Bassett and daughter, Florence. Thomas lived in his lovely new home for only seven years before selling his store and moving for health reasons. Florence and her mother joined him in Denver, CO for three years then returned to Whitewater and continued to live in the house for the remainder of both of their lives.
Florence had been a member of one of the Federation clubs and treasured the friendships she had formed. The home was bequeathed to the Whitewater Federation of Women's Clubs by Florence Bassett in 1926.
Architecture: The house was built in the transitional Greek Revival style with Italianate features. The house remains essentially as built, although a two-story addition was made to the west side of the house in 1878 and several downstairs walls were removed on the first floor in order to form a large meeting room.
We're excited to share this video created by James Olm of Whitewater Landmarks Commission featuring the Bassett House.
